40% lighter than the normal oneThursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
As we hide ourselves in the last of the melting snow
The Leisure Society might seem like a tongue-in-cheek name for your band when the daytime occupation of the frontman is at a fabric and wallpaper warehouse. Although Nick Hemmings has been making music for the better part of fifteen years, of course there are bills to pay and for now he does it through labor, not leisure.
But that may be fixing to change, as Hemmings and Leisure Society were nominated recently for the British Ivor Novello Award for The Last of The Melting Snow Best Song Musically and Lyrically. Theres a lush and gorgeous loveliness to their sound, with rootsy warmth lying just beneath the surface. On this track I can almost hear the last rivulets running off the tin roof and dripping onto the bed of pine needles outside; the end of a very long winter.
The Last Of The Melting Snow - The Leisure Society
Their debut album The Sleeper is out now on Rough Trade; The Independent wrote, Its a uniquely British take on Americana: almost as if Scott Walker or Nick Drake had gone country, making music for coalminers rather than cowboys. I also hear distinct flourishes of simplified American 50s summery-pop on tunes like A Matter of Time, like the Brit answer to Grizzly Bears aesthetic listen here.
This album is a magical listen from start to finish. It makes me feel all golden warm, and drowsy with good dreams.
But that may be fixing to change, as Hemmings and Leisure Society were nominated recently for the British Ivor Novello Award for The Last of The Melting Snow Best Song Musically and Lyrically. Theres a lush and gorgeous loveliness to their sound, with rootsy warmth lying just beneath the surface. On this track I can almost hear the last rivulets running off the tin roof and dripping onto the bed of pine needles outside; the end of a very long winter.
The Last Of The Melting Snow - The Leisure Society
Their debut album The Sleeper is out now on Rough Trade; The Independent wrote, Its a uniquely British take on Americana: almost as if Scott Walker or Nick Drake had gone country, making music for coalminers rather than cowboys. I also hear distinct flourishes of simplified American 50s summery-pop on tunes like A Matter of Time, like the Brit answer to Grizzly Bears aesthetic listen here.
This album is a magical listen from start to finish. It makes me feel all golden warm, and drowsy with good dreams.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
To Ningbo and Back Again
We took a 2 hour trip yesterday to Ningbo to check out the town and visit our friend Qiu Dan Ling (Anita). The weather was so hot and muggy that we wished it rain, and boy, did it! Before the storm however, we made a visit to Tian Yi Ge, a very old private collection of books and associated building that was founded by this man, Fan Qin (1506 - 1585). There were many old buildings and a very nice garden setting in which to walk around and see displays of ancient books, mahjong tiles and art.We walked around the gardens looking at all of the carvings and decoration... ... including this structure which is a Zun Jing Pavilion, a building built to store and respect the classics. It was originally built by a local government school, but then moved to its current location in 1934! Sophie consistently runs everywhere at top speed and RARELY falls down no matter what surface she is running on - she's very sure footed. However today her shoe caught a crack in the walkway and down she went skinning her hands. No blood though. Peter rushed over to comfort her - what a good big brother! Fortunately, the wounds weren't anything a little ice cream couldn't fix. It was so darn muggy today. You can see the hair sticking to her sweaty little mosquito-bitten mug. Some shots of the kids at the Tian Yi Ge park. Balancing the camera on a "monopod", or what the rest of the family unknowingly calls a "rock". ... and just off camera on the left side there are about 20 people watching us try to get this shot. We never quite got it as it took awhile to herd the kids into position, but we got close :) We then went to lunch and timed it PERFECTLY as it started downpour like crazy. We hung out in the restaurant until there was a break, then we headed off to find Dan Ling's office in a modern office building in downtown Ningbo. Meanwhile, she had come out in her work clothes, in the downpour to find us! Eventually, through liberal use of cellphone technology we hooked up. She showed us around her office - she works for Web English, which has a very modern facility for teaching English, and we met her co-workers, some Chinese and some westerners who were all so nice. After her shift was over, we went to dinner at a local restaurant... Finally, we all jumped on the bus and headed back to Hangzhou. We had a very tired driver and this big bus was WEAVING. We tried singing "99 bottles of beer" to keep him awake but on retrospect we think this just annoyed him! Finally I asked Dan Ling to say something to him. She asked him if he was ok to drive and he said he was, but now he knew we were watching him so he perked up. The next thing we knew, he had his headphones on and was serenading us with some old fashioned songs he was listening to. Nice ambiance!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
It's That Time of Year -- Robin
Yep, it’s that time again. Time for mistletoe and holly and candy canes. But when you’re a parent, it’s also time for…the questions.Usually the questions come in groups of two or three and the answers are simple and we can move on quickly to eating our candy canes. But this year, my son is six-and-a-half, so the questions came fast and furious. And I was completely unprepared…• Will Santa visit our house this year?• And Uncle Buddy’s house, too?• Even Georgia?• How does he visit everyone’s house in one night?• Is he magic?• Was he always magic?• Was he born magic?• Does Santa have a mommy and a daddy?• Does Santa have brothers and sisters?• Is Santa married?• Do they have kids?• Why not?• Why don’t they just have their own kids?• Was Santa born from his mommy’s tummy?• Right after Santa was born from his mommy’s tummy, what did she do?• Why?• But why?• But…but why do we need to go to church more often now?• Oh.• Can I have some juice?So I feel bad saying this, but I’m a little concerned about Easter now. (And if anyone out there knows what Santa’s mommy did right after he was born from her tummy, please let me know. I’m at a loss here!!!)- Robin
Monday, July 13, 2009
Forensic Science for the 21st Century: The National Academy of Sciences Report and Beyond
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU commented on the previous post about a conference they are hosting in April. It sounds interesting and worth giving greater prominence to. Heres what they posted:
Forensic Science for the 21st Century: The National Academy of Sciences Report and Beyond
The Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University will host an international conference on April 3-4, 2009, in Tempe, Ariz., on the future of forensic science, with special attention to the highly anticipated report of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, “Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community.”
In addition to experts from universities such as the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard Law School, the University of Michigan Law School, the University of California, Irvine, the University of Virginia and ASU, among others, participants will include state and federal judges, the NAS committee chairmen, the president of the American Association of Forensic Sciences, directors of the FBI laboratory and the Innocence Project, and prosecutors, defense attorneys, forensic scientists, and criminalists. Papers will be published in the ABA-ASU journal, Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science, and Technology, and in the Oxford University Press journal, Law, Probability & Risk.
As part of the conference, The Honorable Harry T. Edwards, Senior Circuit Judge and Chief Judge Emeritus of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and co-chair of the NAS Forensic Science Committee, will deliver the annual Willard H. Pedrick Lecture. The title of Judge Edwards’ talk is, ‘Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.’
For more information about the conference, co-sponsored by the National Judicial College and the Criminal Justice and Science and Technology Law sections of the American Bar Association, and to register, go to http://LST.law.asu.edu.
Forensic Science for the 21st Century: The National Academy of Sciences Report and Beyond
The Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University will host an international conference on April 3-4, 2009, in Tempe, Ariz., on the future of forensic science, with special attention to the highly anticipated report of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, “Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community.”
In addition to experts from universities such as the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard Law School, the University of Michigan Law School, the University of California, Irvine, the University of Virginia and ASU, among others, participants will include state and federal judges, the NAS committee chairmen, the president of the American Association of Forensic Sciences, directors of the FBI laboratory and the Innocence Project, and prosecutors, defense attorneys, forensic scientists, and criminalists. Papers will be published in the ABA-ASU journal, Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science, and Technology, and in the Oxford University Press journal, Law, Probability & Risk.
As part of the conference, The Honorable Harry T. Edwards, Senior Circuit Judge and Chief Judge Emeritus of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and co-chair of the NAS Forensic Science Committee, will deliver the annual Willard H. Pedrick Lecture. The title of Judge Edwards’ talk is, ‘Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward.’
For more information about the conference, co-sponsored by the National Judicial College and the Criminal Justice and Science and Technology Law sections of the American Bar Association, and to register, go to http://LST.law.asu.edu.
The Evolving Story of Hyundai
In 1986, Hyundai’s first export to the U.S, the $4995 Excel, developed embarrassing quality problems, and the company found itself grist for late night talk shows. But John Krafcik recounts with pride Hyundai’s turnaround, from laughingstock of the American auto market back in the 1980s, to seventh best-selling brand in the U.S., and fifth largest car maker in the world.
By 1998, Hyundai’s name was so tainted in the U.S. that its market share fell to .4%, and the company was on the verge of pulling out altogether. But instead, says Krafcik, Hyundai determined to redeem itself, and win back car buyers with a focus on quality design and manufacturing, and with “America’s best warranty.” The 10 year, 100 thousand mile power train guarantee the company put in place, says Krafcik, was “an incredible clarifier for the engineering team,” forcing them to design systems for “infinite life.” Hyundai’s “top down, hierarchical management approach” proved critical, too. Chairman Chung Mong Koo combines “Bill Gates, Barack Obama and the Pope,” and “when he says we must do something, the company aligns well around that goal.” In 2001, Chung declared that Hyundai needed to beat Toyota’s quality standards in five years.
Unlike BMW’s approach of challenging the car owner, says Krafcik, the more “humble” Hyundai engineers focused on ergonomic engineering. An “obsessive customer focus” meant getting cars at early stages in the hands of real drivers, and using feedback to improve designs. Indeed, unlike Toyota, which imposes an engineering freeze at a certain point in development, Hyundai resolved to adapt to suggestions even late in the car development game: “If there’s an imperative for a late quality change, the system is adaptable to that change.” Also, Hyundai chose to design and build cars where it sells them. The result speaks for itself, say Krafcik: Hyundai’s achieved strong, consistent quality performance, rivaling the industry leaders globally.
Current challenges for the company involve developing a proprietary hybrid solution (with a novel lithium polymer battery) to achieve 35 mpg by 2015; and confronting “residual brand issues.” The economic crisis, which has reduced the world’s appetite for cars, could prove advantageous for “agile” Hyundai, believes Krafcik, which has been positioning itself prominently in the downturn, by, for instance, saturating the Super Bowl and Academy Awards with ads. Huge recent gains in “brand perception” have “Hyundai on a roll”, and Krafcik expects that the company’s persistence and passion will pay off, despite the grim times.
By 1998, Hyundai’s name was so tainted in the U.S. that its market share fell to .4%, and the company was on the verge of pulling out altogether. But instead, says Krafcik, Hyundai determined to redeem itself, and win back car buyers with a focus on quality design and manufacturing, and with “America’s best warranty.” The 10 year, 100 thousand mile power train guarantee the company put in place, says Krafcik, was “an incredible clarifier for the engineering team,” forcing them to design systems for “infinite life.” Hyundai’s “top down, hierarchical management approach” proved critical, too. Chairman Chung Mong Koo combines “Bill Gates, Barack Obama and the Pope,” and “when he says we must do something, the company aligns well around that goal.” In 2001, Chung declared that Hyundai needed to beat Toyota’s quality standards in five years.
Unlike BMW’s approach of challenging the car owner, says Krafcik, the more “humble” Hyundai engineers focused on ergonomic engineering. An “obsessive customer focus” meant getting cars at early stages in the hands of real drivers, and using feedback to improve designs. Indeed, unlike Toyota, which imposes an engineering freeze at a certain point in development, Hyundai resolved to adapt to suggestions even late in the car development game: “If there’s an imperative for a late quality change, the system is adaptable to that change.” Also, Hyundai chose to design and build cars where it sells them. The result speaks for itself, say Krafcik: Hyundai’s achieved strong, consistent quality performance, rivaling the industry leaders globally.
Current challenges for the company involve developing a proprietary hybrid solution (with a novel lithium polymer battery) to achieve 35 mpg by 2015; and confronting “residual brand issues.” The economic crisis, which has reduced the world’s appetite for cars, could prove advantageous for “agile” Hyundai, believes Krafcik, which has been positioning itself prominently in the downturn, by, for instance, saturating the Super Bowl and Academy Awards with ads. Huge recent gains in “brand perception” have “Hyundai on a roll”, and Krafcik expects that the company’s persistence and passion will pay off, despite the grim times.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Laptop Computers
Eight of the best sites for buying or researching laptop computers. Know of another site that should be included here? Leave your suggestions at the bottom of the page. (Related searches: Used Laptops, Laptop Battery, MacBook Pro)
1. Laptop Reviews at CNET.com - Reviews and buying advice on Mac and Windows notebooks and laptop computers including recent introductions from HP, Dell, Apple and Samsung. The editors look at the good, the bad and the bottom line, and serve up their favorites. You can also find the right computer for you with a step-by-step guide that looks at operating system, memory and processor among other deciding factors. (reviews.cnet.com)
2. Laptops, Notebook Computers and Tablet PCs from HP - Official Hewlett-Packard site offers a range of laptop computers for home, home office and business use, with products focused on cutting-edge entertainment and gaming, ultra-portability, mobile workstations, companion PCs, multi-media functionality, affordability and more. Cant decide? HPs laptop finder can help you find the notebook thats right for you. You can also purchase accessories like batteries, docking stations, memory and more. (welcome.hp.com)
3. MacBook from Apple - The official site of Apples 13-inch MacBook features comprehensive product information including design, features, graphics and technical specs. Flip through the photo gallery, watch a video and buy online here. (www.apple.com)
4. Laptops and Notebooks at eBay - Over 35,000 new and used laptop computers up for auction or immediate sale here, many offering free shipping. We saw models from Dell, HP, IBM, Toshiba and Sony, some starting as low as $100. You can refine your search by screen size, processor type and speed, memory, hard drive capacity and other variables. Laptop accessories available elsewhere on the site. (computers.shop.ebay.com)
5. Laptop Computers at Dell.com - The complete line of Dell Inspiron, Studio and XPS laptops available for purchase here. Narrow your choices by operating system, memory, weight, screen size and a host of other options to build the laptop thats right for you. If you need more help, a laptop selector and live chat are at your service. A palette of laptop designs are offered for those who want more than a basic gray or black model. (www.dell.com)
6. Leaner Laptops, Lower Prices - The recession is good for PC buyers, according to this April 2009 article from the Wall Street Journal, as companies like HP and Dell are rolling out cut-rate laptops and mini-notebooks under $500 that will appeal to frugal buyers. The cheap laptops have limitations but are still much better than they used to be, and analysts see even further price drops in the future. (online.wsj.com)
7. Laptops at Walmart.com - Laptops from HP, Acer, Dell, Toshiba and others, starting at $599, can be purchased here at the online home of Walmart. Search by a number of variables including type, screen size, brand or price or use the Computer Finder to help find the right fit. Save more on a laptop bundled with accessories and get free shipping if you have it sent to a nearby Walmart location. (www.walmart.com)
8. Laptop Project Speeds Learning at Hunt - May 2009 article looks at the advantages and concerns prompted by a laptop pilot program at North Carolinas public Hunt High School, where both teachers and students were given laptops for in-class learning and instruction. Success or failure of the pilot will determine if North Carolina provides laptops for high school students statewide. (www.wilsontimes.com)
More related searches: Wireless Router
1. Laptop Reviews at CNET.com - Reviews and buying advice on Mac and Windows notebooks and laptop computers including recent introductions from HP, Dell, Apple and Samsung. The editors look at the good, the bad and the bottom line, and serve up their favorites. You can also find the right computer for you with a step-by-step guide that looks at operating system, memory and processor among other deciding factors. (reviews.cnet.com)
2. Laptops, Notebook Computers and Tablet PCs from HP - Official Hewlett-Packard site offers a range of laptop computers for home, home office and business use, with products focused on cutting-edge entertainment and gaming, ultra-portability, mobile workstations, companion PCs, multi-media functionality, affordability and more. Cant decide? HPs laptop finder can help you find the notebook thats right for you. You can also purchase accessories like batteries, docking stations, memory and more. (welcome.hp.com)
3. MacBook from Apple - The official site of Apples 13-inch MacBook features comprehensive product information including design, features, graphics and technical specs. Flip through the photo gallery, watch a video and buy online here. (www.apple.com)
4. Laptops and Notebooks at eBay - Over 35,000 new and used laptop computers up for auction or immediate sale here, many offering free shipping. We saw models from Dell, HP, IBM, Toshiba and Sony, some starting as low as $100. You can refine your search by screen size, processor type and speed, memory, hard drive capacity and other variables. Laptop accessories available elsewhere on the site. (computers.shop.ebay.com)
5. Laptop Computers at Dell.com - The complete line of Dell Inspiron, Studio and XPS laptops available for purchase here. Narrow your choices by operating system, memory, weight, screen size and a host of other options to build the laptop thats right for you. If you need more help, a laptop selector and live chat are at your service. A palette of laptop designs are offered for those who want more than a basic gray or black model. (www.dell.com)
6. Leaner Laptops, Lower Prices - The recession is good for PC buyers, according to this April 2009 article from the Wall Street Journal, as companies like HP and Dell are rolling out cut-rate laptops and mini-notebooks under $500 that will appeal to frugal buyers. The cheap laptops have limitations but are still much better than they used to be, and analysts see even further price drops in the future. (online.wsj.com)
7. Laptops at Walmart.com - Laptops from HP, Acer, Dell, Toshiba and others, starting at $599, can be purchased here at the online home of Walmart. Search by a number of variables including type, screen size, brand or price or use the Computer Finder to help find the right fit. Save more on a laptop bundled with accessories and get free shipping if you have it sent to a nearby Walmart location. (www.walmart.com)
8. Laptop Project Speeds Learning at Hunt - May 2009 article looks at the advantages and concerns prompted by a laptop pilot program at North Carolinas public Hunt High School, where both teachers and students were given laptops for in-class learning and instruction. Success or failure of the pilot will determine if North Carolina provides laptops for high school students statewide. (www.wilsontimes.com)
More related searches: Wireless Router
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